What happensPermalink
The Preacher urges reverence before God: listen carefully, speak sparingly, and promptly fulfill vows. God is in heaven and worshipers are on earth, so careless words are foolish. He then turns to wealth: officials may leave oppression unchecked, greed never rests, and possessions attract consumers. Laborers sleep peacefully; the rich lie awake over wealth that may vanish. Everyone leaves life as naked as they entered it. People should therefore enjoy their work and possessions as gifts from God.
Why it mattersPermalink
The fear of God produces humble worship, careful speech, and faithful vows. Wealth cannot provide security or satisfaction: it multiplies anxieties, may vanish without warning, and cannot survive death. Contentment grows as people receive their limited life, work, and possessions from God. Even the ability to enjoy His gifts is a divine gift beyond wealth’s power to purchase.
Key versePermalink
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.